|
|
Yankees rookie first baseman Ben Rice takes a swing at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby. Q: You wanted to be a comedian in fifth grade? A: (Laugh) I think I might have said that, yeah. I cant remember for sure, but I definitely was a little bit of a cla s clown. So I think that was at the top of my aspiration list probably still second to being a baseball or hockey player. Q: Cla s clown in what way? What would you do? A: I dont know, I was probably very disruptive in cla s, very distracting to my cla smates (smile). I definitely had my fair share of warnings or trips to the principals office or timeouts maybe just blurting stuff out, just typical little-boy stuff. Q: Did you have a favorite comedian? A: When I was younger I dont know if I had one. Nowadays I like Bill Burr, another Boston guy. Explore More Q: What is so great about being a New York Yankee? A: I feel like just the pride that you take in wearing the pinstripes. Theres so much history in this organization and so many legends that have worn that uniform, and its honestly just really an honoring, humbling experience to be a part of it. Q: Have you been to the monuments? A: I havent yet, no, but I gotta do that. Its gotta be on my bucket list. Q: Why do you believe that you belong? A: I tell myself Ive earned it. I think Ive kind of worked my way out of some more, like, under-the-radar situations. Went to a lower-profile school [Dartmouth] in terms of baseball. Was able to dig myself out of some tough situations with COVID, and just continuously kind of earned my opportunity. When I got to the minors, earned my way into more playing time. So I know that Im here because I Portugal Jersey earned it. So that gives me the confidence that I belong here, and that I can continue to improve and continue to earn my way onto the field. Q: Do you think it takes a special makeup to play in New York, and do you have that makeup? A: I think it takes a certain kind of makeup, yeah. That being said, I havent played anywhere else. So this is kind of all Ive known so far, but of course you can tell like theres more of a spotlight on you. The lights shine a little brighter at the Stadium. Theres a little bit more weight that you carry on your shoulders as a New York Yankee. Yeah, I would say I absolutely have the makeup to be able to play here, and again, its all I know, so I love it. Ben Rice #93 rounds the bases on his first career home run a solo homer during the 5th inning against the Reds on the Fourth of July. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Q: You dont mind that weight? A: No, no. I think its cool. I love it. Q: What drives you? A: Whats always driven me is knowing how much better I can be. Ive always said that. I know that just throughout my career, honestly I feel like Im still very limited relative to a lot of players in terms of experience. So, with that, I know that I still have so much room for growth in so many different facets of the game. So thats always motivating me to keep going and keep going ,cause I know how much better I can be. Q: Describe your on-field mentality. A: Just to compete, compete, compete, compete. Be a tough out. Give my all every single day on both sides of the ball, and try to help give my team a chance to win. Q: Do you take notice of the right-field porch? A: Nah. Q: Or would that be counterproductive? A: I dont think itd be counterproductive, but I dont think about it. Ive never thought about where the fence is or what the dimensions are in right field. Yankees first baseman Ben Rice make a play to get out Atlanta Braves Austin Riley in the second inning at Yankee Stadium, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Q: Who do you think had the prettiest swing, either growing up or now? A: Ken Griffey Jr. had an amazing swing. I feel like thats a cla sic answer. I loved watching him swing. Q: How would you rate your swing on a prettine s scale of 1-10? A: If Ken Griffey Jr.s a 10, I dont think Im as majestic, but I would give myself an 8 or a 9. Q: Whats it like watching Aaron Judge take batting practice? A: Its cool. Its very intentional, everything he does. And then, obviously, if he gets ahold of one, its gonna go a long way. Yankees first baseman Ben Rice #93 celebrates with New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge #99 after he scores on his first career home run a solo homer during the 5th inning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Q: What struck you about his home run record chase two years ago? A: It was just special. It was something that I dont think people thought would ever happen again (laugh), but then here we are. Hes on pace to do it again, and even exceed that, so its fun to watch. Q: What makes Juan Soto special? A: First, I mean, his talent to recognize pitches, and drive the ball. But also just his mentality, his confidence in the batters box is something I admire. Q: Anthony Volpe? A: Hes been helpful, just like showing me the ropes, how to handle yourself as a rookie around here. Q: What is the quality Aaron Boone has that allows him to survive the New York jungle? See Also A: Obviously Im new to him, but I can tell right away that the whole team is behind him and the clubhouse loves having him as our manager. He played in the bigs for a long time, and he understands what guys are going through on the field and understands what its like to play in New York. So I think the fact that he has that kind of relatable aspect to him for our players in our clubhouse is important, and I think the city and the fan base respects that as well. Q: Who are catchers youve admired over the years when you were a catching prospect? A: I always liked watching Joe Mauer. I feel like he was a good guy to watch not only as a catcher, but as a hitter. Growing up watching the Yankees, I liked [Jorge] Posada, and even with the Red Sox, too, I liked [Jason] Varitek. Q: First basemen you admired? A: I know [Mark] Teixeira, when he was on the Yankees, he was fun to watch. Ill cheat a little bit on the answer and say Big Papi David Ortiz playing first base a few times for the Red Sox, so put him in there (laugh). Q: What got into you when you were a young boy signing Yankees Rule on the Pesky Pole at Fenway? A: I dont have much of a memory of that, I was so young when I did it. But Im sure I was egged on by my dad because he probably thought it was funny (laugh). Q: You wore a Yankees jacket and cap when you got to be on the field at Fenway that day. A: Yes, yes, I did. I dont know, I had a thing for like rooting for teams other than my hometown teams. I liked the Yankees, mostly just I liked Derek Jeter so much. And then, like hockey, I was a huge Red Wings fan. I had a Red Wings-themed bed when I was little. Because Steve Yzerman was my favorite player on the Red Wings. And eventually Pavel Datsyuk as well. Playing video games, I would play MLB 2K6, and I was always the Yankees. And then if I played a hockey video game, I was always playing with the Red Wings. Those were my teams. Q: The Core Four: Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Posada and Andy Pettitte. Thoughts on Rivera? A: He was also one of my favorite players to watch. I remember when my dad would throw me BP sometimes, he would try to impersonate famous pitchers. The Goose [Rich Go sage] was one of em. If the Goose was pitching, my dad would throw like really fast. He would say sometimes, Its Mariano Rivera, and hed try to throw cutters at me. Trust me, hes not gonna be able to throw Mariano Riveras cutter, but when youre a little kid in the batting cage with your dad, its gonna feel like it, right? Retired Yankees Mariano Rivera, left, and Derek Jeter greet on the field before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium Saturday, June 8, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Q: The batting cage was where? A: We used a ton of different batting cages over the years. Q: Did you shovel one of them? A: The batting cage over at the local high school in the winter. It snowed one day. At this point we didnt have like a consistent indoor facility to go hit at that was nearby. So I went to the batting cage and just shoveled the snow out of the way so we could get some kind of swings in that day. Q: How indebted are you to your father for helping you? A: Oh, foreve Oceania Jersey
Click here Click here Click here |
|
发表于 2025-11-13 19:09:49